D-BAUG - Departement Bau, Umwelt und Geomatik - ETH Zürich

Doctoral studies
Doctoral studies at the Department of Civil, Environmental and
Geomatic Engineering
“Never again study – work, here I come!” In 2003, I was resolved to adhere to this
motto following my geomatic engineering studies.
by Hans-Martin Zogg, Dr. sc. ETH
Now I am sure you are wondering for how long I kept
that up ...? Motto here or there, after one year in the working
world, I dared to return to university life for my PhD
studies.
One thing at a time however! When I finished my degree
course at ETH Zurich, I was tired of the constant exposure
to an academic, theoretical and scientific environment,
and simply wanted to get on with using this knowledge
in the practical world. My geomatic engineering studies
at ETH Zurich, referred to as a Master’s degree in Geomatics
and Planning since the Bologna Reform, were varied
and thought-provoking. I had been well prepared for
the working world. No sooner had I completed my diploma
thesis on terrestrial laser scanners at the Institute
of Geodesy and Photogrammetry than I had the chance
to go directly and work at Leica Geosystems in the USA.
What a unique opportunity to be able to work abroad in
the industry! I gained considerable experience and began
to realise that learning and instruction are also an integral
part of the professional world. After spending one
year in San Francisco, I decided to return to Switzerland
and soon had the opportunity to take up PhD studies at
the Institute of Geodesy and Photogrammetry (IGP), ETH
Zurich, while maintaining contact with Leica Geosystems
by attending to some smaller projects. That was certainly
an offer I could not refuse and my “Never again study –
work, here I come!” motto quickly faded into oblivion. The
practical experience I gained during that year certainly
encouraged me to take up PhD studies. It also emphasised
the importance of a good education and participation
at continuing education courses to enhance
professional development. In addition, being able to
study an interesting topic in-depth was very motivating.
18 ▪ D-BAUG Annual Report 2009
So, in autumn 2004, I returned to the ETH, one year after
my degree, to work as an assistant and doctoral student
for Professor Ingensand, Chair of Geodetic Metrology and
Engineering Geodesy. I spent half of my working time on
teaching and the other half on researching terrestrial
laser scanners and other smaller research projects. This
combination of activities gave me great diversity at work.
Initially, I was challenged by the direct contact with the
students. It was no longer a matter of asking the assistant
questions as in my student days – I myself now had
to answer them! Since I always strove to give clear explanations
which the students could follow, I could not
formulate my answers in a sparse few words. I tried to
get down to their level and to recall my own experiences
and expectations as a student. As a result, my teaching
memories are still very positive. I tutored students taking
surveying courses and those preparing their Master’s
thesis. Needless to say, working as an assistant did have
its drawbacks: the lectures and exercises, as well as the
students’ questions, became repetitive. Still, two major
highlights during my time as an assistant at ETH Zurich
soon obliterated the negative aspects: organising and
conducting the 3-week geodetic project course for Master’s
students in Sedrun and, in autumn 2006, accompanying
Master’s students on their final year trip to Lisbon.
I had not just returned to the ETH to teach, but rather to
continue my research studies and prepare my dissertation.
Concluding my research project required a great
deal of energy, particularly when my research work was
making no progress. This is, needless to say, part of a researcher’s
life and I had to learn how to cope with setbacks
or the unexpected when experiments did not go
just quite the way they should have. But, sure enough,